We spent 3 weeks in America - it was busy at times (we were in Kansas City, Wichita, Smithville, Sioux Falls, Brookings, and our cabin in the Black Hills Forrest). While on the surface it appears busy and crazy, we had plenty of downtime as well. It was our longest trip back by far - and we made the most of it. I believe we are all ready to go ‘home’ to Barcelona … but we really had a riot.
Quick hits (a lotta them!). Most of these are just things I noticed - nothing surprised me too much as we have been back multiple times since moving only 21 months ago - but not for this long in this many locations. Just observations is all ….
I’m not used to tipping servers or ‘rounding up’ for charity in Spain. As expected, I was asked for this everywhere from gas stations and retail stores to bakeries and restaurants of all price points. Interesting how it makes you feel when you tip 3% or 40% (I did both). It just makes food and drink so much more expensive. I wish restaurants would just have to pay their servers better, even if they charged more and it was transparent - it makes it so much easier.
I had a goal to not gain weight knowing I was going to have many drinks with buddies and more unhealthy food and I crushed it. Actually lost a pound.
Cheers to the staff at Zone6 for allowing me to train almost daily.
I did get a Charleston Chew, wings from Als, Chinese buffet 2x, and Rays Donuts. ALL DA BOMB and well worth the ‘cheat’
Police - I saw a police officer with a gun at Walmart. Strange. I also saw a note on the news for the first day of school ‘KC Police Department is doing half days at schools to keep kids safe’ - very strange and a little scary but I get it and was used to it, just not used to it now.
I never text and drive in Spain. I did often while in the States. I of course drove more since I couldn’t really walk anywhere. Again, strange. (ps be better than me! Don’t text and drive!).
Another on the driving thing - people can’t use roundabouts for shit.
More on driving - I was nearly run over 3x in crosswalks. That being said, in the town I grew up in it’s rare to see anyone walking and all drivers were over 55 years or so I bet…so, nbd.
I often felt like I was in a rush. I had it when I lived here, it went away with the move to Spain, and it was back. Unsure why - I had places to be and people to meet but not different than when back home.
We had some cash there so we used it. Cashiers can’t count for shit - or even process money. Total is $11.62 and I give you $22.12 it’s because I don’t want a bunch of small change - I just want 2 quarters and a $10. ‘It’s 62 cents not 12 sir’ they say. Unreal. I’ll have to see if Hayes can pass this test … I’m thinking probs not. jajajajajajajaja
It’s nice when the AT&T or Traeger salesman at Costco wants to pitch me I don’t have to be an ass or ignore him I can give a high five as I walk by and say ‘I don’t live in the US buddy!’
Food - I feel the portions are smaller than they used to be - and I expected typical giant American portions. Maybe they are smaller (far from small) with the cost of food and inflation?
More on food - I had a ton of peppers and onions and veggies without much flavor. Unsure why they are so flavorful back home.
The kids didn’t get any gelato (didn’t find any) but they did have soft serve and custard, which of course are da bomb.
Coffee - didn’t find one good espresso the entire time. One person tried to serve to me in paper - and I usually paid around 3$ for a solo (I pay 1.10€ back home)
Apples - I miss the apple game the US has. So many amazing hybrid types that are made with the perfect crunch, sweetness, tart and sour level all at the same time. Cosmic, Honey Crisp, Opal, etc - none available in Spain….
I love the Gym in Kansas City - Zone6 is just the best. I wish there was one in Barcelona!!!
I feel some people think I don’t like America simply because I moved - I get this ‘why would you leave this American life? You really should come back here. You a big liberal now or something?’. It may just be where I am from (midwest baby!!) and certain people - it’s by far not the majority as most are happy for us and have a ton of questions but when I get into these conversations it is very strange.
I loved talking about American politics! It’s great to get different perspectives. I really don’t get much detailed American news or analysis….so I love talking/arguing/learning from Trump supporters, Biden supporters, and anyone in the middle with a frame. Bob Schwartz you still owe me a convo buddy! I was even able to get to watch the Repub debate.
I love driving my 4Runner. Glad I kept it. Big, custom, unique, familiar. Can’t wait to take it in the mountains and snow in January!
There is a ton of space. Roads and parking spaces are huge. Sidewalks are wide. Stores are massive…and the homes - the homes are excessive (and awesome). Everything from grocery carts to restaurants to coffee shops and the size of a pack of chicken ———-> all enormous. I miss having a Costco!!! I’ve gotten used to European sizes I guess - it’s nice to have the space.
I love and miss my dad. Spending time with him is amazing. We have so much fun and good chatter. I’m going to see him more this year for sure.
I found a gas station I could get a morning paper at and if I timed it right there were some construction workers there who spoke Spanish. I still suck, but it allowed me a few small interactions to be proud of. It took a few days to get used to not hearing Spanish everywhere and when I did hear it, it felt good. I spoke it whenever I could (remember, soy terrible en espanol) to practice and keep it fresh. Hayes and Ellory kept their classes with their Spanish tutor going and I managed my Duolingo streak to over 580 days in a row while away.
It’s great seeing family - I think we saw everyone except my bro (saw him in Spain just a month ago!) and Uncle Bill and Mitch and Lindsey in Iowa. We hit Kansas City (Dad/Vickie/Maki’s) - Wichita (Ashley’s Grandma, mom, aunts and uncles) - Smithville (Ash dad, bro’s and their families) - Brookings (my mom and sister). I even saw my high school friends Jesse and Laura in SF and Kory and Rob while in Brookings.
Cabin time!!
We took time to get to our cabin up in the Black Hills National Forrest. I love that place and area. There is so much to do and see - Mother Nature is truly awesome. All restaurants are locally owned and operated, there are few rules/regs (helmets, life vests, etc), and I didn’t see one police officer there the entire time. You just manage yourself and respect others and the land. Pretty simple way to roll I think .…
The mornings were crisp and the afternoons amazing (62 and 81 degrees!). The kids and my mom met my sister in Brookings after a night in Sioux Falls and being at Jesse and Kate's awesome home (Ashley took off and had 2 days at cabin solo). We took time in the hills/forest and relaxed, ran around, hiked, hit up a boat for a day of sun and tubing, and crushed mountain slides and zip lines as always. My sister loved it as did her two girls. We laughed, cried (well me and my sister at least), and had a blast. I would love to have had them there for another half week, but the cards didn’t work out. Again again again I hope!
Hayes and Ellory
They were both excited to see friends, eat corndogs, get dip-n-dots, and crush Chipotle and Rays Donuts (none are available in Spain). They were also pumped to see their nanna and poppa (my Dad and Vickie). They were excited to see the cabin since our last ski trip there in December 2021. They had some playdates, hit a jump yard, played mini-golf, rode bikes, hit the pool, and saw many familiar things. They ate the foods they missed, played cards with family, and enjoyed a backyard. They loved it, but are ready to go home to Spain.
Of note, Hayes crushed an entire Spanish conversation in a restaurant. I offered him a special dessert if he tried - he crushed it. The cook looked at him and didn’t know what was happening but loved it. He asked where he was from ‘I am from here but we live in Barcelona’ he said in Spanish (perfect answer), his name, and how he liked Spain. They talked about the food, where Hayes goes to school, and how long he was in Kansas City (among other things). It’s special listening to him speak Spanish since I didn’t get the opportunity. He was also yelling at me in Spanish while I was driving the boat - ‘Papa mas rapido! vamos, tienes que ir más rapido!’ In our family, Hayes is by far the best at speaking Spanish.
What is/was missed?
As always I reflect on the trip and my life then and now. When in Spain I miss easy access to certain foods (keto foods, high-fiber wraps, good protein bars, American cabernet, turkey pepperoni, etc). I miss a big luxury American house to live in. I miss our cabin. I miss my 4Runner. I miss being recognized and known in a ton of places around town.
However, none of these for me are really too important when I think about it. While in the US, I missed walking everywhere, a slower pace, having less stress, taking time for longer meals, and easy access to quality food. I missed close access to the beach and mountains (the mountains in Spain are 90 minutes, they are 610 minutes from KC!). I miss walking to the grocery store for fresh fish - walking to the gym and listening to a podcast - easily connecting with a friend for a 2-hour lunch or hitting a game of padel with 30+ guys (not pickle-ball with a bunch of geezers (no offense Dad and Vickie!)). Of course, I miss friends and family - but this is easily remedied with plane tickets and a little investment of our time traveling (or theirs coming to Spain!).
Summary
Overall we had a great trip back - it had been since November of 2022 for the kids and Ashley hadn’t been to KC (only to NYC in May) since then as well. She may be back in October, and I am 100% back in January for skiing and cabin time. I know 100% we have all changed, so we look at things differently now. While I could write for days and days I won’t - let's just leave it at this: I love America and miss so much from it …. but I’m looking forward to getting back to Barcelona and our home there. I’m also looking forward to getting the kids in school so I can return to a (flexible) routine of gym, lunches, padel, cooking, and maybe a bit of work of course.
Next time - school starts and catching up with friends after a summer away (all our friends scatter from Barcelona after school so I’ve not seen many friends since June). I assume I’ll also get the metal plate out that I have on my collarbone (check out March blog here) now that I have a few days to rest and recover after minor surgery.